Prominent performers play Walworth County Fair

By Ted Sullivan ( Contact )   August 25, 2008 - 2:52 p.m.

When Mr. “Achy Breaky Heart” performs Saturday night, he’ll be listed among Johnny Cash, The Monkees and Kenny Chesney as entertainers who have played the Walworth County Fair.

Billy Ray Cyrus, country star and father of Miley Cyrus of “Hannah Montana” fame, will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstand.

Other fair performers this year include Huey Lewis & The News, Little Big Town and Little River Band.

The fair has hosted several notable names in the past few decades.

Did you see any of the following concerts dating back to 1980?

2007: Leann Rimes, Beach Boys

2006: Terri Clark, Kenny Rogers, KC & The Sunshine Band.

2005: Styx, Hoobastank, Lonestar

2004: Clint Black, Bodeans, Travis Tritt, Dierks Bentley

2003: Keith Urban, Randy Travis

2002: Brad Paisley, REO Speedwagon

2001: Kenny Chesney

2000: John Michael Montgomery

1999: Alabama, Sawyer Brown

1998: Toby Keith, Wayne Newton, Tanya Tucker

1997: Patty Loveless

1996: The Oak Ridge Boys, 38 Special

1995: Merle Haggard, Loverboy

1994: Cheap Trick, Diamond Rio

1993: Charlie Daniels Band

1992: The Oak Ridge Boys

1991: Vince Gill, Randy Travis

1990: The Forrester Sisters, The Oak Ridge Boys

1989: The Monkees, The Jets

1988: Sawyer Brown, The Statler Brothers

1987: The Young Ambassadors, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs & The Whites

1986: Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Janie Fricke, The Judds

1985: Reba McIntire, Exile

1984: The Osmond Brothers

1983: Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette

1982: Roy Clark, Don Williams

1981: Sunshine Express, Wolfman Jack’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival

1980: Loretta Lynn & the Coal Miners, Sonny James

reader COMMENTS (12)
cocktail848
Aug 28, 2008 at 4:42 p.m.
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Billy Ray would definately be included in the "had their day" category. Or should I say "had their 1 hit" category. Being on a hit TV show doesn't mean much at a concert. That is like saying Eddie Murphy is playing at the fair this year. Sure he had a hit and he is in the movies (or on a TV show), but not going to impress the masses. Sorry. Again, he should not have been the hightlight of your article.

BostonBill
Aug 26, 2008 at 11:34 p.m.
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When I moved to Southeastern Wisconsin six years ago from Massachusetts, I had never been to a County Fair. County government is very different back there; it would take a LONG time to explain, and a longer time for anyone to understand. Anyways, the Walworth County Fair was my first county fair and I was impressed. The Midway amusement rides are probably the same in every county fair but the 4-H, FFA, and local history things were very interesting to me. There is a LOT of things to see, and of course, to eat, but I wonder if the difference between other county fairs is the “talent” on the main stage. I read an article a few years ago that said something like,” The Walworth County Fair is the best place to see the most popular musical acts……20 years after they were famous.” That is funny to me and very apropos. (Read the list) However, the Walworth County Fair staff does a wonderful job on booking talent that is up and coming such as Toby Keith in 1998 and Dierks Bentley in 2004. Yes, there are many others. Try getting them now. GO Walworth County Fair.

tsullivan
Aug 26, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.
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Wahoo,

This year's Rock County 4-H Fair performers included Ronnie Milsap, Randy Travis, Corbin Bleu, Lady Antebellum and Royalty Coronation.

tsullivan
Aug 26, 2008 at 4:35 p.m.
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Huey Lewis and Little River had their days. And Little Big Town is currently doing well.

But Billy Ray has new music being played on country stations. His daughter's fame is in the stratosphere. And he does star in one of the most popular shows on television.

Bottom line: They're all impressive acts.

Ted Sullivan

cocktail848
Aug 26, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.
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Billy Ray is who you talk about? Wow, you must be a hick Ted. The "Other fair performers" are by far more impressive than a one hit wonder with a mullet who's real cash cow is his spawn.

wahoo_35
Aug 26, 2008 at 3:03 p.m.
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Who played at the Rock county fair again?

WiscoMom2008
Aug 26, 2008 at 11:09 a.m.
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I am just excited for the fair! Billy Ray is just a bonus.

A35
Aug 26, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.
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I'm so sick of Miley Cyrus AND her Dad. Wish they would fade away....quickly! The other bands sound great!

WiscoMom2008
Aug 26, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
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Forget Miley Cyrus... I can't wait to see Billy Perform! The WALCO fair is the best in the state!

mark707
Aug 26, 2008 at 9:11 a.m.
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Neal McCoy - mid 90's. Kinda weird dude, but great fair. The food really compliments the entertainment.

curtaincall
Aug 26, 2008 at 7:04 a.m.
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This is one of the best fairs around.

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